All aboard for The Polar Express! The Polar Express captures the wonder of childhood complete with the North Pole, Santa Clause, elves and the true meaning of friendship in this animated film soon to become a classic, giving both adults as well as children a reason to believe.

The movie opens when a boy goes to sleep in his own bed on Christmas Eve and is awakened when the Polar Express train pulls up on the street in front of his home. He runs outside in the snow to see what the commotion was all about and is invited to step onto the train, bound for the North Pole. The boy hesitates at first, and then jumps aboard as the train begins to pull away.

Once on the train, the boy meets many other children, each with their own issues and backgrounds. Then the train stops once more for their last pick-up … a boy from the other side of the tracks. He also hesitates, then the boy pulls the emergency stop to let the other boy aboard.

The conductor, voiced by Tom Hanks, asks the children if they would like some refreshment. When they all reply that they would, in comes many table jumping, flipping and dancing waiters expertly pouring hot chocolate in big Santa size ceramic cups. The dishes are collected just as fast as they were served, leaving behind one of the best scenes in the movie.

The train continues on its ride through steep, rollercoaster mountain passes and icy slopes, adding to the visual effects. Not only is the viewer privilegedto be on the train on the inside, but the boy walks along the top of the train where he meets a vagabond, making coffee from a sock, but who looks out for the boy.

“Do you believe in ghosts?” the friendly man asks. The boy replies that he did not. “Interesting,” was the man’s reply. He leads the boy to safety then promptly vanishes.

The wild ride continues until they finally reach the North Pole. Once they arrive, the adventure continues, giving the viewer peeks behind the scenes of Santa’s workshop, the conveyer belts carrying presents and solving the mystery of how all of the presents of the world fit into one huge sack.

Once in the North Pole town square, the jingle bells from Santa’s sleigh are brought out, but the boy can not hear it. When one bell falls off close to him, he picks up the bell, shakes it, but can not hear it. “I believe,” said the boy, a half prayer coming from his heart. He shakes the bell again to hear the most beautiful sound he could hear, a sound only believers can hear.

The movie is honest and true, celebrating the wonder and magic of Christmas. The Polar Express is a movie for young audiences and for the young at heart as well. The animation was fantastic, with a great story line to boot. A must see for the holiday season. I give it five stars.